As the 2023 World Cup unfolds, Bangladesh’s cricket captain, Shakib Al Hasan, has taken a strategic break to focus on his training and regain his top form. Shakib, accompanied by his personal mentor Nazmul Abedeen Faheem, arrived in Dhaka today (October 25) to engage in an extensive training program.
Shakib’s decision to temporarily depart from the World Cup stems from Bangladesh’s challenging journey in the tournament. The team’s overall performance, including Shakib’s individual contributions, has fallen short of expectations. This prompted the skipper to utilize the break to sharpen his skills and refocus his mindset for the remaining matches in the World Cup.
Facing South Africa and the Need for Improvement
In their latest league-round match, Bangladesh faced a formidable South African side at the Wankhede Stadium on October 24. Unfortunately, the Proteas secured a resounding victory, defeating Bangladesh by a margin of 149 runs. Shakib’s performance in the 2023 World Cup has not mirrored his stellar showing in the 2019 edition, as he has managed to accumulate only 56 runs in the four matches he’s played so far.
To address these challenges and boost his performance, Shakib returned to Dhaka’s Shere Bangla National Stadium. Alongside his mentor, he engaged in rigorous training sessions, focusing on enhancing his batting skills. The extensive training regimen spanned over three days to ensure that Shakib can return to the World Cup with a rejuvenated mindset and refined capabilities.
Shakibâs Mentorâs Insights
Speaking about the training program, Shakib’s mentor, Faheem, expressed, “Today, tomorrow, and the day after, and then he will return to Kolkata. We worked on his batting today. Shakib probably feels comfortable working this way. I am not sure what we are going to do next – I will take each session as he wants.”
Bangladesh is scheduled to play their next two matches in Kolkata. Their first encounter is against the Netherlands on Saturday, October 28, followed by a clash with Pakistan on Tuesday, October 31. Shakib Al Hasan’s temporary departure for intensive training reflects his commitment to elevating Bangladesh’s performance in the 2023 World Cup.
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